Meet Our New Math Tutors

Need Help with Math?

High school grades matter, and high school math skills are 50% of your SAT score. Get ahead and be prepared for your next test with one of our new math tutors.

Meet Math Tutor John Simpson

Many people struggle with math, or just plainly don’t like it; for others, it comes quite naturally. I’ve experienced both sides of this at different times in my life, giving me empathy for those struggling with math. Broad knowledge and proficiency allow me to see where students are, connect with them, and bring them where they want to be.

My background includes studies in math and engineering, experience in biotechnology (including 23 US patents) and violin making. I have tutored at CCRI and JWU, and have classroom teaching experience in computer programming at School One!

Specifically, I hold a BS with Honor in Mathematics from Caltech, an MS with Distinction in Engineering from CalPoly. Then I undertook additional graduate study in math at Princeton University (where I served as an Assistant in Instruction for a year). Next, I worked in various engineering capacities at two biotech start-ups over the course of twelve years. Other interests include photography and playing the violin.

I hope to offer students an understanding of how math can be useful in a variety of things that they may want to do in the future. Most importantly, I strive to help them with the simplest path that leads to success in their current coursework and exams.

Meet Math Tutor Karyn Elias

I am excited to be a new member of the staff at Rhode Island Tutorial & Educational Services. I have my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in mathematics. Upon graduation, I completed additional coursework in computer programming. Then I spent twelve years working as a computer programmer in the insurance industry. More recently, I took courses in mathematics and education and earned my master’s degree in secondary education. I am now a fully certified mathematics teacher with more than five years of teaching experience. This combination of work and education enables me to share my love of math. It also provides a valuable perspective as to why math is important in the real world. I strive to help my students come to appreciate and love math as much as I do!

Below is one of my favorite quotes regarding the importance and beauty of my favorite subject. You might not agree, and that is okay. I hope once we have worked together that you may appreciate this quote too.

Meet Math Tutor Patrick Poirier

I am thrilled to continue my journey teaching math with RITES. I am a certified 7th-12th-grade math teacher with over 10 years of experience with tutoring, along with my years of classroom teaching.

What brings me the most joy is taking math concepts that students find difficult and explaining them in a way that they can easily understand. Through patience, careful listening, and clear explanations, I am able to help students towards their individual math goals.